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lie¹

(lī)

intr.v. lay (lā), lain (lān), ly·ing (līĭng), lies

1. To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline: He lay under a tree to sleep.

2. To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal: Dirty dishes lay on the table. See Usage Note at lay¹.

3. To be or remain in a specified condition: The dust has lain undisturbed for years. He lay sick in bed.

a. To exist; reside: Our sympathies lie with the plaintiff.

b. To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in: The strength of his performance lies in his training.

5. To occupy a position or place: The lake lies beyond this hill.

6. To extend: Our land lies between these trees and the river.

7. To be buried in a specified place.

8. Law To be admissible or maintainable.

9. Archaic To stay for a night or short while.

1. The manner or position in which something is situated.

2. A haunt or hiding place of an animal.

3. Sports The position of a golf ball that has come to a stop.

Phrasal Verbs:

lie down

To do little or nothing: He's lying down on the job.

lie in

To be in confinement for childbirth.

lie to Nautical

To remain stationary while facing the wind.

lie with

1. To be decided by, dependent on, or up to: The choice lies with you.

2. Archaic To have sexual intercourse with.

Idiom:

lie low

1. To keep oneself or one's plans hidden.

2. To bide one's time but remain ready for action.

[Middle English lien, from Old English licgan; see legh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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